State University Fee
The 2005-06 undergraduate fee for full-time California resident students is $2,520.
Credential program students pay $2,992. Graduate students pay $3,102. Out-of-state
students pay the State University Fee, plus $339 per semester unit or $226 per quarter
unit. Campus-based fees add an average of $644 to student costs.

Student fees cover less than a third of the more than $12,000 that it costs the CSU
to educate a student each year. Despite recent increases, the CSU’s undergraduate fee
is the lowest among comparable institutions nationwide.

Cost of Attendance 1995-2005

95/96

$1,584

96/97

1,584

97/98

1,584

98/99

1,506

99/00

1,428

00/01

1,428

01/02

1,428

02/03

1,572

03/04

2,046

04/05

2,334

05/06

2,520

Other Costs

Living on campus

Living off campus/away from home

Housing/Meals

$8,009

$8,622

Transportation

904

1,046

Books/Supplies

1,220

1,220

Personal

2,141

2,229

State University Fee

2,520

2,520

Average Campus Fees

644

644

Total

$15,438

$16,281

Financial Aid
In 2004-05, more than $1.6 billion was distributed to more than 216,000 students,
more than half of the total student population. The average award was $7,770.
Presidential Scholars’ programs, which provide full scholarships to National Merit
Scholars and high school valedictorians, are also found at many CSU campuses.